Fresh Breath Clinic

Bad breath or halitosis can be a real worry for a number of people who may feel uncomfortable or experience a loss of confidence due to their breath, which could potentially lead to anxiety issues.

Physiologic Halitosis refers to when an individual’s bad breath is caused by putrefaction which occurs in the oral cavity, in these situations white-colored coating can be found on the posterior part of the tongue.
It can come in the form of morning breath or from certain foods such as onions, garlic, and coffee. In Pathologic Halitosis the person&#39;s breath odor is a symptom of a disease, or other pathologic condition.

What Factors Contribute to Halitosis?

Internal Factors: These are causes that originate from within the oral cavity and account for 90% of halitosis. It is caused by the buildup of bacteria,especially types that do not require oxygen, which allows for it to be positioned deep within the mouth. These bacteria will cause the formation of dental plaque and tartar on teeth or tongue, resulting in bad breath.

External Factors: These are abnormalities in the respiratory or digestive systems such as Sinusitis, Tonsillitis, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). Dental plaque that forms on the tongue is a major source of bad breath since the tongue covers a wide area of the mouth. Furthermore, the plaque is usually located in areas where it is difficult for oxygen to reach,suitable for the accumulation and growth of bacteria. There are two diagnosis methods:

Self-Test: Self-tests for oral hygiene can be conducted using a plastic spoon and scraping the top of the tongue, then smelling the sample. If you feel that such smell could be pathologic halitosis it is recommended to seek treatment promptly.

Oral Hygiene Test: A number of equipment is available to be used for diagnosis. One such technology is Gas Chromatography, which is designed to digitally measure molecular levels of the three major volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in a sample (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide). This method is effective in measuring sulfur and provides a visual imaging via a graph on a computer.

Treatment

Guidelines for treating halitosis include reducing the factors that contribute to bad breath through proper oral hygiene. Focus on cleaning teeth and tongue, using dental floss to get to trickier spots, and do not allow a buildup of bacteria within the oral cavity from pathological sources such as cavity, a filling that is in a poor state, or gingivitis. Choose a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, stay hydrated, healthy, stress free. Make sure you get
enough rest and exercise to ensure the body’s immune system is in the best possible condition.

For further information contact Fresh Breath Clinic at Bangkok Hospital